Moscow, Russia - In a rare comment on imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner's situation, a Russian government official said her release was not a priority for the Putin regime.

A senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin made the comments on Sunday, during a TV interview.

"In this tense situation, I think that he is thinking first and foremost about the upcoming midterm elections so he keeps emphasizing the need to bring back home the basketball player who was detained for drug smuggling," Putin's aide Yury Ushakov said, according to state news agency TASS. "However, it’s not the main issue that we are concerned about."

In July, Biden’s administration made a "substantial proposal" to bring the two-time Olympic champion home, along with another American imprisoned in Russia, former Marine Paul Whelan.

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Though the administration did not provide any specifics about the proposal, according to reports, it involved swapping the two for Russian arm dealer Viktor Bout.

A month following the proposal, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for the illegal drug possession of cannabis after pleading guilty to all charges against her.

Detained overseas since February, Griner continues to receive support from the WNBA, her colleagues, and top athletes around the country.